Recent Newshttps://www.ecok.edu/news/homecomingcandid.htm
enECU EMPLOYEE SARAH GARCIA HONORED WITH SAUNDRA MACE AWARDhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-employee-sarah-garcia-honored-saundra-mace-award
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Sarah%20Garcia%20Award.jpg?itok=TMd8rJI4" width="400" height="399" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Sarah Garcia (left), secretary to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at East Central University, poses with the Dr. Kate Lang, dean of the college, after Garcia won the Saundra Mace Award from the Oklahoma Political Science Association.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Sarah Garcia, secretary to the dean in East Central University’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, is the recipient of the Saundra Mace Award from the Oklahoma Political Science Association.</p>
<p>Garcia, who has worked at ECU for more than 30 years and is a graduate of the university, recently accepted the award at the OPSA’s Awards Banquet at the Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur</p>
<p>“Sarah Garcia supports the faculty of our college so well,” said Dr. Christine Pappas, professor and department chair of the ECU Department of Political Science and Legal Studies. “Her carefulness and precision makes us look good every single day and she never takes credit for her important work. We couldn’t do most of the things we do without her support.”</p>
<p>The Saundra Mace Award was named in honor of the founding OPSA secretary. It recognizes support staff persons for excellent job performance, attitude and commitment.</p>
<p>The OPSA Banquet featured keynote speaker Lisa Billy, former Oklahoma Representative and current member of the Chickasaw Legislature.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 13 Dec 2017 20:52:04 +0000bjohnson15171 at https://www.ecok.eduECU STUDENT ACHIEVES SCIENCE COLLEGIATE ACADEMY AWARDShttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-student-achieves-science-collegiate-academy-awards
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Maranda%20Clymer%20with%20Karen%20Williams%20%28A%29.jpg?itok=z1OjNqm-" width="400" height="372" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">East Central University student Maranda Clymer (right) and Dr. Karen Williams, professor of physics at ECU, display the two awards that Clymer won for Best Undergraduate Paper and Outstanding Oral Presentation Award for the Physical Sciences at the 106th Technical Meeting of the Oklahoma Academy of Science Collegiate Academy Awards for 2017.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Maranda Robin Clymer, an East Central University physics major from Ada, won Best Undergraduate Paper and the Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation Award for Physical Sciences at the 106<sup>th</sup> Technical Meeting of the Oklahoma Academy of Science Collegiate Academy Awards for 2017.</p>
<p>Clymer’s winning presentation was entitled “The Effects of Temperature of the Attenuation Coefficient of Ultrasound.”</p>
<p>Her awards were two of six earned by ECU students at the conference.</p>
<p>Gunner Parent, a nursing major from Allen, Oklahoma, won the Outstanding Undergraduate Poster for “Evaluation of the Blue River for Presence of Campylobacter Jejuni.” Parent was assisted by ECU Assistant Professor of Biology April Nesbit.</p>
<p>Josh Hardage, a molecular biology major from Washington, Oklahoma, took the Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation Award for Biochemistry and Biophysics for his work with ECU alumnus Courtney Karner and Yilin Yu at Duke University. Hardage’s winning presentation was entitled “Mtorc1 is Necessary and Sufficient to Stimulate GLS Activity in Osteoblasts.”</p>
<p>Billy Andrew, of Earlsboro, took the Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation Award for Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. His presentation was entitled “Utilizing XLSForm and Form-Hub to Digitize Data for the Pontotoc Animal Welfare Society.”</p>
<p>A group effort by ECU students led to the Outstanding Undergraduate Oral Presentation Award for Microbiology. Matt Broge, Ada; Jacob Grimm, Stratford; Cierrea Soden, Ada; Kasav.Karki; faculty member Dr. Charles Biles; faculty member Dr. Alisha Howard and B. Bruton, collaborator through the USDA, had a winning presentation of “Molecular Characterization of Foodborne Plant Pathogens Imported from Central America.”</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 13 Dec 2017 17:30:49 +0000bjohnson15168 at https://www.ecok.eduHEARTBREAKING SITUATION LEADS TO PRUETT CONTINUING HER PURSUIT OF A MASTER’S DEGREE AT ECUhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/heartbreaking-situation-leads-pruett-continuing-her-pursuit-master-s-degree-ecu
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Rhonda Pruett is hoping to turn a heartbreaking situation into an exciting one as she prepares to attend East Central University this spring.</p>
<p>Pruett, a non-traditional student, resident of Lexington, Oklahoma and an elementary special education teacher for the Bethel Schools in the Shawnee area, was working hard on a master’s of counseling degree at St. Gregory’s University when she was blindsided by some awful news on Nov. 8.</p>
<p>SGU announced its closure effective in December, which caught Pruett and many of the nearly 600 students off guard. The university, which relied on a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, was unable to obtain those funds, thus forcing the near immediate closing.</p>
<p>When she learned about the SGU closing, Pruett and her husband took to the internet and printed off material from other universities.</p>
<p>“ECU most closely matched with what I’ve been involved in,” said Pruett, who said she contacted ECU and Dr. Brenda Sherbourne, acting dean of the School of Graduate Studies and dean of the College of Education and Psychology.</p>
<p>ECU, like many universities and colleges from around the state and region, took part in several college fairs held on the SGU campus.</p>
<p>After meeting up with Sherbourne and the ECU contingent during the first fair, Pruett says she felt pretty good about the prospect of coming to Ada to further her education.</p>
<p>Then came a second fair a few days later and, as the participating universities were setting up for the fair, Jenny Campbell, an advisor in the ECU School of Graduate Studies, noticed Pruett and approached her.</p>
<p>“She came and found me. That made me feel really good,” Pruett said. “From there, I knew this is where I needed to go. I started getting emotional and felt pretty good about ECU. I felt like I made the right choice.”</p>
<p>Pruett will be able to go through a teach-out plan, do some online course work and take one-weekend-a-month, all-day classes in helping to achieve her degree.</p>
<p>“I loved St. Gregory’s. They had some of the best people,” said Pruett. “When it closed, it was very disheartening. I get emotional thinking about it.”</p>
<p>Pruett and her husband came to Oklahoma years ago from Missouri and stumbled on to St. Gregory’s by accident.</p>
<p>“We went to the (Mabee-Gerrer) museum there. I didn’t even know there was a college there. We then walked around campus and found the people to be very kind and considerate,” Pruett said. “We felt very good about it.”</p>
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> ECU is still accepting transfers from SGU. Transfers may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship for the spring 2018 semester. For more information on the scholarships, contact the ECU Foundation, Inc. at 580-559-5655. For more information on applying to ECU, call the Office of Admissions at 580-559-5628.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 12 Dec 2017 17:02:57 +0000bjohnson15164 at https://www.ecok.eduJOHNSON NAMED NEW HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT ECUhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/johnson-named-new-head-football-coach-ecu
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/JohnsonHiring.jpg?itok=7kejCgj2" width="400" height="219" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University Director of Athletics Dr. Jeff Williams has announced the hiring of Al Johnson as the 19<sup>th</sup> head coach for the Tiger football program and just the fourth in the NCAA era, since 1997.</p>
<p>“I am excited to present Al Johnson to Tiger Nation as our next head football coach,” said Williams. “Al has been uniquely prepared for this opportunity and he made an immediate and unforgettable impression that never faded. I anticipate that will be the same for our players, campus, community and alumni. He brings an infectious passion for leading and developing student-athletes, which becomes evident to everyone he meets.”</p>
<p>"I am very excited and honored to be the next East Central University head football coach,” Johnson stated. “I want to thank ECU President Dr. Pierson, Director of Athletics Dr. Williams and the entire search committee for this amazing opportunity.”</p>
<p>Tiger fans will have to wait until 2018 to meet the newest addition to the ECU Athletics staff, as Johnson still has to complete his current duties as the assistant offensive line coach at the University of Wisconsin. The Badgers will be competing in the Orange Bowl, Dec. 30 against Miami at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>“Al Johnson brings a unique mix of professional experience and different levels of coaching,” ECU President Dr. Katricia Pierson commented. “He brings a great deal of enthusiasm and knowledge of football that will help lead the Tigers to success both on and off the field by believing his players should be equally committed to academics and athletics.”</p>
<p>Johnson has had a wide variety of experience as both a player and coach, working at NCAA Division I, NCAA Division III, in high school and operating his own camp. He has also experienced greatness as a player on the field, playing for Wisconsin for four seasons and spending seven years as a member of the National Football League.</p>
<p>He started his NFL career after being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round in 2003. The offensive lineman spent three seasons at center for the Cowboys and helped build them back to a playoff caliber team, making two playoff appearances.</p>
<p>While in Dallas, Johnson met his wife, Brandy, and gained ties to Oklahoma through friends. The pair decided right after having to move, when he was traded to the Arizona Cardinals in 2007, that they would love to return to the state to raise their family.</p>
<p>“I want to make sure the ECU faculty and staff, alumni, fans and supporters know that I am committed to building ECU into one of the premier NCAA Division II programs in the country,” added Johnson. “My family and I are looking forward to making Ada, Okla., our home and immersing ourselves into the community."</p>
<p>Johnson spent the 2007 season with the Cardinals as a starting center before being injured in 2008. After recovering, he signed with the Miami Dolphins for the remainder of the 2008 season and made a playoff appearance. He ended his professional career in 2009 with the New England Patriots.</p>
<p>Johnson earned his time in the NFL after being a standout at Wisconsin from 1998 to 2002. The three-time All-Big Ten selection was a Rimington Award finalist in 2000 and 2001, which is presented to the premier centers in the FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA division. The Badgers also earned two consecutive Rose Bowl championships (1999-00) during his tenure.</p>
<p>After his time in the NFL, Johnson started his coaching career in 2013 as a co-owner and lead offensive coach of the Al Johnson Line Camp and as the offensive coordinator at Southern Door High School. The camp was designed to develop youth and high school linemen through mentoring and overall character building and serving over 1,000 kids in three years.</p>
<p>At Southern Door High School, he helped the team double their total offensive yards, coached five all-conference players and laid the foundation for three-straight conference championships.</p>
<p>Johnson then moved on to the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisc. In two seasons he helped the team to a 10-1 record, coached nine all-conference offensive players and the conference lineman of the year.</p>
<p>Johnson then returned to his alma mater in 2016 as an assistant coach and helped to develop the offensive line into one of the best in the nation. In 2016, the Badgers claimed the Big Ten West and Cotton Bowl championships. He has coached three All-Big Ten selections and all-American and first round NFL pick Ryan Ramczyk.</p>
<p>This season Wisconsin, ranked No. 6 in the nation, currently has a 12-1 overall record and finished with a 9-0 mark in the Big Ten, with the only loss coming in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. The Badgers will have one more chance to play in 2017, at they will participate in the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl (Dec. 30), in Miami Gardens, Fla.</p>
<p>Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Sports Management in 2014 and is working on his master’s degree at Wisconsin in Education and Leadership.</p>
<p>Johnson married his wife Brandy while with the Cowboys and has four children: Skylar Burleson (18), Makayla (9), Cyrus (7), and Chloe (6).</p>
<p>“I want to thank the members of the search committee who served our university diligently throughout the search process,” Williams stated. “The rich heritage of ECU and Tiger Football made our position attractive to many highly-qualified football coaches and provided an extremely talented pool of applicants. The process confirmed that Al Johnson was the complete package we were seeking in our next head football coach.”</p>
<p>Johnson will officially start Jan. 3, 2018 and the ECU Athletic Department will announce dates and times for meet and greet events at a later date.</p>
<p>“I can’t wait for the Tiger Family to meet Al, Brandy and their wonderful family as they join us in moving ECU toward future success,” added Williams.</p>
<p><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Contact: ECU Sports Information Director Teri LaJeunesse at 580-559-5258</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 12 Dec 2017 15:16:37 +0000bjohnson15163 at https://www.ecok.edu ECU STUDENT DIEGO CIFUENTES TO SERVE INTERNSHIP THIS SPRING FOR FLORIDA CONGRESSWOMAN ILEANA ROS-LEHTINENhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-student-diego-cifuentes-serve-internship-spring-florida-congresswoman-ileana-ros-lehtinen
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Diego%20Cifuentes%20with%20Congresswoman%20Ileana%20Ros-Lehtinen.jpg?itok=zeOWFuNQ" width="400" height="505" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">ECU student Diego Cifuentes is pictured with U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, of Florida. Cifuentes will be doing an internship with Ros-Lehtinen this spring.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University double-major Diego Cifuentes is embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity this spring.</p>
<p>The native of Miami, Florida and resident of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, is going to do an internship for U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida, representing the 27<sup>th</sup> District which encompasses most of Miami and Coral Gables) in Washington D.C., while earning 15 hours of college credit to kick off 2018.</p>
<p>“This is a huge opportunity. I’m humbled and honored to have this, being a first generation college student,” said Cifuentes. “My motivation for this is to make a difference and inspire all.”</p>
<p>Cifuentes got to meet Ros-Lehtinen, who is the first Latina to be elected to Congress and is set to retire late in 2018 after 35 years in elected office, through their mutual philosophy of standing for Israel.</p>
<p>“We met at the annual CUFI (Christians United for Israel) Convention in July,” Cifuentes said. “The entire office strongly encouraged me to apply for one of their internships.”</p>
<p>Cifuentes, who majors in elementary education and mass communication, certainly had the credentials not only through his academics, extracurricular activities and social engagement, but serving as an intern while at Pauls Valley High School, where he graduated in 2015. He has served as both a freshman and sophomore senator for ECU’s Student Government Association and is now representing ECU and serving in the House of Representatives for the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature.</p>
<p>While in high school, he served as a page for then State Senator Susan Paddack, who is now director of ECU’s Oka’ Institute.</p>
<p>In 1989, Ros-Lehtinen became the first Hispanic woman and first Cuban American elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She has served as chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.</p>
<p>“For such a time as this, I am humbled and excited to take on this new adventure,” said Cifuentes, who was born and raised in Miami, Florida. “To know that Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush were once interns for Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, I am thrilled to see what the future holds for me. I hope to make a positive impact during my time there.”</p>
<p>Cifuentes said his parents actually met Ros-Lehtinen one time during one of her campaign stops in Miami.</p>
<p>“This is an honor for me. I am excited to have worked and to work with both Oklahoma and Florida politics,” Cifuentes said. “I plan on having an online blog so everyone can keep up with my adventures.” said Cifuentes.</p>
<p>He has received support for his endeavors from his family, friends and church in both the Ada and Pauls Valley communities, along with the ECU community. He is involved in the children’s ministry and college ministry of H20 Church in Ada.</p>
<p>His online blog can be found at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diego11cifuentes/">https://www.instagram.com/diego11cifuentes/</a> .</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Fri, 01 Dec 2017 14:08:16 +0000bjohnson15134 at https://www.ecok.eduSCHEEF TO SPEAK AT ECU COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES ON SATURDAY, DEC. 9https://www.ecok.edu/article/scheef-speak-ecu-commencement-exercises-saturday-dec-9
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Craig%20Scheef%20photo.jpg?itok=VcB86MgT" width="375" height="563" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Craig T. Scheef</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Craig T. Scheef, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Texas Security Bank and East Central University alumnus, will address 203 candidates for bachelor’s degrees and 88 for master’s degrees during ECU’s Fall 2017 Commencement Exercises on Saturday, Dec. 9, at 10 a.m. in the Kerr Activities Center.</p>
<p>Under Scheef’s leadership, Texas Security Bank, with $420 million, is one of the fastest growing and most profitable independent banks in the United States.</p>
<p>With locations in Dallas, Garland and Farmers Branch, Texas Security Bank was featured in <em>Forbes Magazine</em> and the <em>Dallas Journal</em> in 2015 as the No. 5 Healthiest Bank in America by depositaccounts.com (out of 6,800 banks). The same bank service rated Texas Security Bank the No. 1 Healthiest Bank in Texas in 2015.</p>
<p>After graduating from Plano Senior High School in 1981, Scheef accepted a scholarship to play football at ECU. In 1984 and 1985, Scheef was named to Who’s Who Among America’s College and University Students and was routinely a member of the Dean’s and President’s Honor Rolls.</p>
<p>Scheef was named Academic All-American in football his junior and senior seasons. He was also elected co-captain of ECU’s 1984-1985 football team which was ranked No. 1 nationally for small colleges at the end of the regular season. Scheef was an NAIA All-District 9 his final two years as well, earning Small College Consensus All-American Honorable Mention honors.</p>
<p>In 2005, Scheef received the Milam Award which is presented annually to a distinguished ECU football alumnus who has excelled in their chosen vocation. In 2016, he received ECU’s Distinguished Service Award and the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from ECU’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.</p>
<p>Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree from ECU in 1985, Scheef attended graduate school at the University of North Texas in Denton, receiving his M.B.A. in finance in 1988. He graduated in the top five percent of M.B.A. students while at UNT.</p>
<p>In June of 1988, Scheef accepted a commercial credit training position with First Interstate Bank (predecessor to Wells Fargo Bank). During his last five years at Wells Fargo, he managed a team of middle market lenders.</p>
<p>Scheef accepted the position of community bank president for Bank of Texas, a subsidiary of BOK Financial in 2003. In 2004, he was promoted to president of business banking for the Dallas and Houston markets, having responsibility for seven community banks in Dallas and Houston.</p>
<p>In April 2007, Scheef left Bank of Texas to begin the process of obtaining regulatory approval and raising capital for an independent bank focused on the needs of people who exercise their right to free enterprise – the independent business owner.</p>
<p>Texas Security Bank began operations with $26.5 million in new capital in 2008.</p>
<p>Scheef is a former president of the Swiss Avenue Historical District, former chairman of the Executive Committee of the East Central University Foundation, Inc., member of the Greater Dallas Assembly and member of the Dallas Chief Executive Round Table.</p>
<p>He is married to his wife Christy of 29 years. Craig and Christy enjoy travel, snow skiing, sporting events, community involvement, volunteering time to various East Dallas non-profit organizations and spending time with their dog, Hugo, family and friends.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 29 Nov 2017 20:33:49 +0000bjohnson15116 at https://www.ecok.eduNEW SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT ESTABLISHED IN MEMORY OF TINA HOPE DAVIS AT ECUhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/new-scholarship-endowment-established-memory-tina-hope-davis-ecu
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Tina%20Hope%20Davis%20Scholarship%20Check%20Presentation.jpg?itok=dm1xN9iE" width="400" height="278" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">LaDona Hill (left) and Donna Cox (right), of Tina&#039;s Legacy Committee, present a check to Buffy Lovelis (center), chief operating officer of the ECU Foundation, Inc. The $21,000 check helps establish a Centennial Endowment Scholarship in memory of Tina Hope Davis at East Central University.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>The memory of early childhood educator Tina Hope Davis was recognized as Donna Cox and LaDona Hill, of Tina’s Legacy Committee, presented a $21,000 check to the ECU Foundation, Inc. in establishing a Centennial Endowment Scholarship at East Central University.</p>
<p>Davis, who passed away in 2015, attended ECU and earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1984 and later earned her master’s degree in special education. As a student at ECU, Davis was a member of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and also served as a Tiger mascot for the cheerleading squad.</p>
<p>Her teaching career included Ardmore Schools and Ada Schools. While in Ada, she taught early childhood special education for 29 years, where she eventually became the director of Special Services.</p>
<p>Davis was considered a compassionate teacher who believed all children could learn and be successful. She was also a passionate swim instructor who devoted her summers to teaching swimming and water safety.</p>
<p>“Tina had a kind, joyful heart and loving spirit. She devoted her life to helping educating others,” said Cox. “This Centennial Scholarship will ensure that Mrs. Davis’ dedication to helping others will live on through the scholarships.”</p>
<p>Scholarships from the endowment will be awarded each year to an undergraduate or graduate student who is majoring in special education to elementary education. A preference will be given to an ECU cheerleader as well.</p>
<p>Anyone who wishes to donate towards the Tina Hope Davis Centennial Scholarship Endowment may send their gifts to: ECU Foundation, Inc. at 1100 E. 14<sup>th</sup> Street, PMB Y8, Ada, OK 74820 or donate online at <a href="http://www.ecok.edu/foundation">www.ecok.edu/foundation</a>.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 29 Nov 2017 19:48:50 +0000bjohnson15115 at https://www.ecok.eduECU COLLEGE MOCK TRIAL TEAM PLACES THIRD AT SOONER INVITATIONALhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-college-mock-trial-team-places-third-sooner-invitational
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Mock%20trial%20team%202017-2018.jpg?itok=UhD3SqC9" width="400" height="285" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Members of East Central University’s College Mock Trial Team include: (seated on front row, left to right) Kassie Batt, Kate Draper, Carly Heitland and Ginger Johnson. Standing are: (left to right) Jack Langley, Alex Courtney, Bianka Mader, Alex Sprenger, Kenny Chambless, Wil Crawford and Heather Hall. Not pictured is Kate Springer.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University’s College Mock Trial Team took third place during the University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Invitational at the OU College of Law last weekend.</p>
<p>The competition featured 10 teams from various universities in the region. The ECU team competed in two preliminary rounds, one against a team from the University of Texas-Arlington and the other from the University of Houston.</p>
<p>ECU finished the preliminary rounds, ranked fourth out of the 10 teams and was able to advance to the semifinals against the top seed from the University of Arkansas. The other semifinal featured OU and the University of Tulsa.</p>
<p>“I am especially proud of our team because we had an emergency replacement occur the morning of the competition when one of our witnesses had a dental emergency that rendered her unable to compete,” said Preston Draper, assistant professor of political science and legal studies at ECU.</p>
<p>Draper explained that one of the attorney players - Jack Langley of Stratford/Pauls Valley - ended up twice taking on witness roles – one per session. Another of the attorneys - Wil Crawford of Ada – volunteered to fill the then-vacant attorney seat in all three rounds. Another of the witnesses, Kate Springer of Maud, also had to compete in all three rounds because of the role positions she was assigned.</p>
<p>“I’m very proud of these students and their efforts,” Draper said. “We will be competing in February in a regional competition. Although most of our team is made up of legal studies and political science students, we have one math major and one biology major on our team as well.”</p>
<p>Members of the team besides Crawford, Langley and Springer are: Carly Heitland; Ginger Johnson, of Broken Arrow; Kenny Chambless, Sasakwa and Alex Sprenger, Owasso, as attorneys. Other witnesses include: Alex Courtney, Atoka; Heather Hall, Oklahoma City; Bianka Mader, Nassau, Bahamas and Kassie Batt, Shawnee. Kate Draper, of Ada, and Skyler Riddle, of Lindsay, provided logistical support.</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Wed, 29 Nov 2017 19:11:04 +0000bjohnson15114 at https://www.ecok.eduECU ENGLISH MAJORS STEVENS, TARPEY PRESENT PAPERS AT UNDERGRADUATE LANGUAGE AND LINGUISTICS CONFERENCEhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/ecu-english-majors-stevens-tarpey-present-papers-undergraduate-language-and-linguistics-conference
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Avery%20Stevens%2C%20Karina%20Tarpey.jpg?itok=EW2cbstY" width="400" height="510" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Pictured here are Avery Stevens (left) and Karina Tarpey. The pair presented papers at the recent Undergraduate Language and Linguistics Conference at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>East Central University English majors Avery Stevens, of Ada, and Karina Tarpey, of Seminole, presented papers at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Undergraduate Language and Linguistics Conference on Nov. 11.</p>
<p>Stevens’ paper was entitled “The Rhetoric of Reason in Religious Context: Forgiveness as a Necessary Limit on God.” In his essay, Avery proposed an effective counterargument to Anne C. Minas, who contends that given the traditional traits associated with God, it is logically impossible for God to forgive.</p>
<p>In Tarpey’s essay “The Advantages of Reading <em>Thirteen Reasons Why</em> Through a Transaction Lens,” she used a reader response theory to discuss the ways in which one could create an engaging and instructive unit for secondary level students on the critically received <em>Thirteen Reasons Why.</em></p>
<p>“I am so proud of both of these students. They are two of our best and brightest,” said Jennifer McMahon, professor in ECU’s Department of English and Languages. “Not only did they present their work at an undergraduate conference, they are actively seeking to publish their work.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 28 Nov 2017 17:40:15 +0000bjohnson15107 at https://www.ecok.eduTWO ECU ENGLISH MAJORS PRESENT PAPERS AT 12TH NATIVE AMERICAN SYMPOSIUMhttps://www.ecok.edu/article/two-ecu-english-majors-present-papers-12th-native-american-symposium
<div class="field field-name-field-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" rel="og:image rdfs:seeAlso" resource="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-landscape/public/default_images/logo_1.png?itok=Sg_U3IZG" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-portrait-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img typeof="foaf:Image" src="https://www.ecok.edu/sites/default/files/styles/article-portrait/public/Native%20American%20Symposium.jpg?itok=8H1_5t9U" width="400" height="336" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-image-caption field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">East Central University students Daniel Bonar (left) and Sidney Lewis (right) are pictured with Dr. Jennifer McMahon, ECU professor of English and languages, during the recent 12th Native American Symposium in Durant.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><p>Two East Central University English majors – Sidney Lewis and Daniel Bonar – presented insightful papers at the recent 12<sup>th</sup> Native American Symposium, a professional academic conference held at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant.</p>
<p>Lewis, from Velma, Oklahoma and a member of the Choctaw Nation, presented “Stead as a Beating Drum,” which dealt with patterns of presentation of Native Americans in film.</p>
<p>Bonar’s “Accidental Preservation” discussed the way in which indigenous words have been preserved through their phonetics adoption in French, which facilitated their acceptance into the English lexicon. Bonar is from Ada.</p>
<p>“It was a professional academic, so it is quite significant that the work of undergraduates was accepted for presentation,” said Dr. Jennifer McMahon, professor of English and languages at ECU. “Sidney completed an honors thesis last spring and is preparing to go on to graduate school. Daniel is currently not just a student completing his degree in English, but he is also a freelance technical writer for the Chickasaw Nation.”</p>
<p>The two students’ work will be eligible for publication in the conference proceedings, which will be published next year.</p>
<p>McMahon also presented a paper at the conference which analyzed the artwork of contemporary visual artist and recent ECU graduate Summer Zah.</p>
<p align="center"><strong>-ECU-</strong></p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-article-immediate-release field-type-text-long field-label-inline clearfix"><div class="field-label">For Immediate Release:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p style="margin-left:1.0in;">Contact: Brian Johnson or Amy Ford</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> East Central University Communications and Marketing</p>
<p style="margin-left:1.0in;"> 580-559-5650 or 405-812-1428 (cell)</p>
</div></div></div>Tue, 21 Nov 2017 16:15:32 +0000bjohnson15106 at https://www.ecok.edu